RV sales report: Motorhome prices still down, towables up first time in months

Used RV auction market watcher Black Book has rolled out its RV sales report for January wholesale auction values. As has been true since 2022, motorhome prices continue their month-by-month sawtooth play. While motorhome prices continue down, towable values actually headed up for the first time in six months. Where are we headed now?

RV sales report—”Motorhome values decreasing and towables increasing”

Black Book’s principal analyst, Eric Lawrence, was ready to lay bare the numbers for us. “The wholesale auction results of RVs sold last month were mixed, with motorhomes’ values decreasing and towables’ increasing,” he notes. Motorhome values are continuing downhill, a general trend that’s been in place since July 2022. While motorhome prices still aren’t as low as pre-pandemic, they are—depending on your perspective—perilously close.

Towables, on the other hand, despite six months of decline, seem to be holding their own. “Auction volume was up,” says Lawrence, “and several RV dealers have told us they are stocking up to be ready for the spring rush.”

Deep-dive on motorhome RV sales

Doing a deep-dive on the numbers for motorhomes shows this: The average selling price for motorized units was $53,551, down $9,049 (14.4%) from the previous month. One year ago the average motorhome sold for $67,539.

How long can this go on, we wondered? “Don’t think that motorhomes are sinking, per se, it’s just a continuation of the downward trend,” Eric counseled. He says some of this might be attributed to the relatively small sample size of auction sales, particularly compared with towable units. But, as he has in the past, he suggests putting a ruler on the graph for motorhome prices and seeing what it says. Motorhomes are heading down. The number of motorhomes sold at auction inched up from December, by a paltry 1.7%. The average age of motorhomes sold was ten years old (2014).

Why the downward trend? Lawrence holds the reason should be confirmed soon. He feels there could still be a “hangover” effect from when Covid sales were hot. At the time, supply chain issues for motorhome builders reduced the number of available units, and prices skyrocketed because of low supply. He thinks prices should soon settle out.

And towable RV sales?

Towables came in at $18,329, up $452 (2.5%) from last month. A year ago, the average towable unit fetched $19,541. The number of towable units that rolled across the block was up a sizeable 14.2%. The average towable sold was five years (2019).

Meaning for buyers?

For buyers, what does it all mean? A big factor that not many in the industry are talking about is “pull-ahead sales” from Covid times. When the pandemic began to lift, people wanted out of their homes and into the great outdoors. So, many “pulled the trigger” in 2021 and 2022. Many had planned to buy later, but their trigger finger took off and they bought in 2021. That took sales away from 2022 and 2023. Says Eric Lawrence, “Now I think we’re getting back,” and says he feels that many 2024 shoppers haven’t bought yet, but they will likely buy this year. That can have an effect on market prices.

When RV dealers feel they’ll likely have sales, then they’re willing to spend more money for units at auction, with an expectation they’ll get their money back. If travel trailers are any indicator, then expect used prices in general to shoot up—and soon. Motorhomes may just be around the corner for getting out of the doldrums. Are you planning to buy used? If price is your consideration, now might be better than later.

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